Killian

Meaning of Killian

Killian likely means "bright-headed" or "strife."

Killian has Irish roots — browse every Irish baby name in our catalog.

Popularity of Killian

Killian has cooled off, slipping to #418 in 2025, down from a peak of #248 in 2017.

Notable people named Killian

• Cillian Murphy
  Irish actor, Oppenheimer and Peaky Blinders
• Killian Hayes
  Professional basketball player
• Killian Dain
  Professional wrestler
• Killian Peier
  Swiss ski jumper
• Saint Killian
  Irish missionary saint

More Irish names

Questions about the name Killian

What does the name Killian mean?

Killian means killian likely means "bright-headed" or "strife.", and it comes from Irish origins.

Is Killian a boy's or a girl's name?

Killian is most commonly used as a boy's name in the United States.

How popular is the name Killian?

In 2025, Killian ranked #418 for boys, down from #369 the year before.

When was Killian most popular?

Killian peaked at #248 in 2017.